Brady Quinn: Veteran QB Should Be the Starter Regardless of Matt Cassel's Health

He might not be the Brady that Kansas City Chiefs fans would prefer to see playing quarterback for their team, but Brady Quinn should be the man under center for the rest of the NFL season.

Matt Cassel's concussion was unfortunate, as was the reaction from some of those in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium. You won't find me disagreeing with the comments made by Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Winston, and chances are, most of you agree with him.

But football is a results-oriented game, and the results with Cassel under center have been less than acceptable. Thus far in 2012, he's led the team to a 1-4 record and committed 13 turnovers (nine interceptions and four fumbles).

We know what Matt Cassel is, and that's a borderline NFL quarterback who doesn't have the ability to lead his team to victory on a weekly basis.

We don't know what Brady Quinn is, though between the way the Chiefs looked with him under center and the three passes he completed—including a perfect strike to a heavily covered Dwayne Bowe on third down—he sure looks like a better option than Cassel.

Quinn never had the talent around him in Cleveland that he does in Kansas City.

He's got an All-Pro running back in Jamaal Charles, an All-Pro receiver in Dwayne Bowe, an emerging wideout in Jon Baldwin and an explosive player in Dexter McCluster.

While the sample size was incredibly small Sunday, Quinn looked like a man who can lead his team down the field. He was able to move the ball, make smart decisions and, most importantly, not turn the ball over.

If it was evident to me, and it was evident to you, it had to be evident to Romeo Crennel and his staff.

Let Quinn build a rapport with Bowe and Baldwin. Let Charles get used to taking handoffs from him. See what develops.

If he falls flat on his face, then nothing has changed—the Chiefs still won't have a viable NFL quarterback to send out onto the field week after week.

But what if he succeeds? What if Brady Quinn, a 27-year-old in his sixth NFL season, is the long-term answer at the position for a team that hasn't had one since the days of Trent Green?

It would do wonders for the morale of a team that has found its defense on the field far too often.

More importantly, it would re-energize a fanbase, one that is arguably the most disruptive group of followers to opposing offenses when they dare step foot in Arrowhead Stadium to take on their hometown heroes.